The authors' fervent desire is that the information in this chapter (and the book) provides the impetus for positive change in the way that childbearing women and their partners are cared for in the healthcare system. We want health care planners, governments and policy makers to value women, to value the childbearing process and provide maternity services that meet women's needs.

According to evidence, and that evidence is strong, optimal care in childbearing is one to one midwifery care with seamless collaboration with medical care as required by any individual woman.

Whatever perspective we take, no matter what our experiences, we all can come together and improve the way women are cared for during the most important social, cultural and physically significant experience of birthing the new generation. We are, as Professor Susan Crowther reminds us, united "around the humanness that lies at the heart of each birth.”

What can you do to make a difference to maternity care in your area?

To begin with, you could write to the Federal and State/Territory Ministers of Health; the hospital managers and the newspapers/magazines demanding optimum care for women and their families.

You can write a submission for Round Two of the Consultation Process - your submission need only be something like "all women need a competent, kind midwife, only some women need an obstetrician too"